Energy-Efficient Windows in Colorado Springs Add Value to the Home

Moreover, homeowners should read and understand energy performance ratings like u-factors and solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC) very carefully before they purchase replacement windows. A u-factor of 0.35 or lower means that the window doesn’t transmit as much heat indoors as other windows do while a 0.6 SHGC means that a window can reliably provide sufficient heat indoors during winter.

The material used to construct a window should also be considered because certain materials like aluminum absorb more heat than others, regardless of the energy performance ratings of the glass that they hold. Wood doesn’t fail in this regard, although it requires frequent maintenance. Alternative materials like Fibrex®, which is offered by only a few Colorado Springs window companies, strike a balance between durability and energy-efficiency although they only make up a small portion of the market because they are new.

http://www.loveyourwindows.com/energy-efficient-windows-in-colorado-springs-add-value-to-the-home/